I have nominated five more bloggers (see below), and for nominated bloggers, these are the guidelines to keep the award going if you choose to accept it:

Display an image of the award and write about your nomination.

Thank and link the person who nominated you for this award.

Answer the 11 questions prepared for you by the blogger who nominated you.

Nominate 5-11 awesome bloggers who you think deserve this award, and create 11 questions of your own for your nominees to answer.

List these guidelines in your blog post.

Very important answers to very important questions

Here are my answers to Laura’s questions:

1. What most inspires you to write?

I love having the thread of a thought or the spark of an idea about something and exploring it in written form. I never know where I’ll end up sometimes. I find I am able to articulate myself better in writing, which people often find hard to believe given my gregarious nature. My preference is to write non-fiction (essays and posts that appear here), but I’m enjoying the different kind of writing that is my novel. It’s harder writing fiction (well it is for me) but when I nail it, it’s an awesome feeling. I love it when readers contact me and tell me how much they enjoyed my writing, or that an essay or a book or a short story resonated with them. It’s then that I realise how powerful writing is, and it’s a gift that should never be taken for granted.

2. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about writing?

Just show up and write. Don’t wait for inspiration or motivation, because you will never “feel” like it. Sit your arse in the chair, put fingers to keyboard (or pen to paper) and just bloody do it! No excuses.

3. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Somewhere in Asia. I’ve just come back from a weekend in Melbourne, and I ventured into Chinatown and had a real urge to go somewhere in Asia. Like Hong Kong.

4. What’s your favorite book, and why?

It’s like asking me to choose between my favourite children (hot tip: I only have one child). If I think about books I regularly reread, my favourite would have to be The Last Time They Met by Anita Shreve. I love her writing and—of all her books—this is my favourite. Her stories are always simple, but the prose is poetic and powerful. It’s an absolutely beautiful story…

5. What kinds of things do you do for fun, when you’re not writing?

I run and I make pictures and I travel. Many would say the first isn’t fun, but I love the sense of freedom and accomplishment running gives me. I also nut out problems when I’m pounding the pavement or hitting the trails. Photography is a different form of creativity, visual of course, and it forces me to use another side of my brain. After my daughter, travel is my first and last love.

6. If you had to pick one song that best represents your life, what would it be?

Given my attachment style, it has to be Harden My Heart by Quarterflash!

7. Do you have any good luck charms, and if so, what are they?

Only good things have happened to me since I had my daughter, so I would say that she is my lucky charm!

Lucky for me, the really crazy stuff I did was well and truly before social media! Last year, while I was in Bali, I had a holiday fling and got two tattoos. Does that count?

10. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment in life (so far)?

Making it out of the 80s alive, second only to making it out of the 80s with all my brain cells intact and not a hint of an STD!

No, seriously, the greatest achievement in my life is my daughter (even though you wouldn’t think it sometimes reading this blog!). I’m also really proud of all the books I published last year. Finally, I’m a published author. Finally!

11. And, of course, the all-important question: Pirates or Ninjas?

Ninjas. Definitely.

Paying it forward: my nominees

Here are my nominees:

Melinda Kovac is an all round awesome author-chickadee, and was kind enough to list me as an author who always takes her money!

Ruby Knight is one of the bravest writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Cassie Keahey Newell is an independent author and blogger, and a great friend to writers of all persuasions.

Jane Luke blogs about running all kinds of events and is just an inspirational woman.